BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Chris Webber
announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, bowing to a left knee injury
that has long plagued the five-time All-Star player, according to media reports
Thursday.
"People say you've got go to until the wheels fall
off," Webber told a news conference in Oakland. "Well, my wheel fell off. I went
all the way until the end so I'm happy with that."
"Overall I'm very happy," Webber said. "I never
would've thought that I would have been able to play 15 years in the NBA against
my idols. I got a chance to play against (Michael) Jordan to an Isiah Thomas,
guys I grew up with."
Webber -- the most prominent member of the Fab Five
at Michigan -- was taken by the Orlando Magic as the first pick of the 1993 NBA
draft. The Magic traded Webber to Golden State, where he was selected NBA rookie
of the year. He also played for Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit
before rejoining the Warriors.
He played only nine games with the Warriors before
being sidelined by a bum left knee that's hampered him in recent years. He has
not played since March 2 and had not been around the team of late.
"Rehab is so hard," he said. "So monotonous, so
boring. I really didn't want to try to rehab and come back this season because I
don't think that's possible.
Webber retired with career averages of 20.7 points,
9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 831 games.
Webber said he wanted to stay involved in basketball,
first as a television commentator and then in perhaps a bigger role with a team.
He is scheduled to be in the studio for TNT on Thursday night.
(Agencies)
